Auckland's misery in the one-day game continued today in the latest round of State Shield matches, when they were beaten by Otago in Oamaru. It is scarcely credible that a side which has so dominated the four-day competition this year could be winless in the one-day version of the game.

A third-wicket stand of 138 between Richard Jones and the one-day debutant Carl Cachopa did lift Auckland's spirits. Jones was in sight of a his maiden one-day century after after 87 one-day appearances, but he had to make do with a career-best 92. Cachopa scored a fine 56 before falling to an outstanding diving catch by David Sewell.

Auckland attempted to capitalise on this stand, but only achieved real success in a fleeting innings of 25 from Tama Canning. The Otago bowlers applied the screws and confined Auckland to 236 for 7. Jeff Wilson and Warren McSkimming were especially impressive, Wilson taking 1 for 31 and McSkimming 0 for 35 from their 10 overs apiece.

Otago's chase got off to a dream start, putting on 74 for the first wicket between Chris Gaffaney (28) and Craig Cumming, who went on to score 80. Cumming also had a maiden century in sight in his 79th game, but had to settle for a career-highest score instead.

Gareth Hopkins helped Cumming add 115 for the third wicket. Hopkins scored 54 off 872 balls. Aaron Redmon kept the momentum going but then the innings fell into a hole as wickets fell at 205 and 207, and two fell at 218,
before Nathan McCullum and Brad Scott played steadying hands to ease Otago home to victory in the 47th over.

Aaron Barnes with 4 for 30 off 10, and Brooke Walker with 2 for 42 off 8, proved the disruptive bowling elements in Otago's progress.

A win against Wellington at the Basin Reserve kept Canterbury in the hunt for a semi-final berth. The second century in the competition - scored by Michael Papps - made up for the early dismissal of the in-form batsman of the series Nathan Astle and, by the end of the game, he had become the leading run scorer in the competition with 364 runs.

Papps and Craig McMillan, the Canterbury captain, scored 107 for the third wicket, and that proved a significant stand in the outcome of the match. Shanan Stewart (22) and Chris Cairns (24) hit their runs in short order and, by the end of the 50 overs, Canterbury had scored an impressive 278 for 9.

None of the Wellington bowlers were spared, with Mayu Paspati faring best with his 2 for 43 off 9.

Wellington did make a rollicking start as Stephen Fleming and Chris Nevin scored 54 each, in an opening stand worth 107. But, after their dismissals, Wellington's innings came unstuck - and the only sizeable
contribution in support of their efforts was Neal Parlance's 36.

With pressure mounting toward the bottom of the innings, Pasupati (20) and Mark Gillespie (23 not out) struck out, but in vain and with the last pair at the wicket, Wellington pulled up 15 runs behind Canterbury.

Central Districts firmed up their prospects of securing a home final as they comfortably defeated Northern Districts at Masterton.

ND were in trouble at 74 for 5, with only Scott Styris (43) making any impression on the scorecard, although the fact he took 141 minutes over it suggested how hard the batsmen were struggling. It took a 65-run effort of 68 balls from Peter McGlashan to lift ND over the 200 mark. Brendan Diamanti continued his impressive bowling streak with 4 for 39, while Brent Hefford took 3 for 38.

Craig Spearman fell to Graeme Aldridge for 6 off 11 balls, before a superb second wicket stand of 172 runs - a CD record for all wickets - between two of the country's up and coming players, Jamie How and Ross Taylor. The free-flowing Taylor got into his stride on his home patch and was looking for his second century at this level when he was caught behind from Aldridge's bowling for 99, scored off 109 balls.

How had earlier been dismissed for 60 off 97 balls. While three wickets fell at 192 when Taylor was dismissed, as CD looked to score a bonus point, captain Glen Sulzberger and Bevan Griggs steered the side home. Aldridge was again
consistent for ND with 3 for 37.

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